Above the High Plains

Rock Formations and Clouds, Monument Rocks, Western Kansas
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In 1968 Monument Rocks became the nation's first designated National Natural Landmark. They consist of buttes, arches and pyramid shaped chalk formations that stand strikingly above the flat plains of western Kansas. In about 80 million years, they will be eroded low and flat enough to have a picnic on them.




  

Shop Window

Condensation on a Shop Window, King Street, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Going out early one morning and exploring the King Street Shopping District,
I found a shop window dripping with condensation.
The feet behind are on a poster displayed next to the window.

Wander

Rural Road, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



A narrow country lane wanders between oaks
in an old Appalachian valley.

Misty Monday - Vintage Bridges

Old Cooper River Bridges and Tug Boats, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Slide Film.)



Today's Misty Monday image is also a "throwback" image.
 Anyone who can remember the days when travelers and commuters drove
the old narrow lane bridges that spanned the Cooper River
can also remember how nerve racking it was... and slow.
Imagine the traffic snarls we would have now if we didn't have
the Ravenel Bridge, which opened in 2005. Yikes!

Spring Preview

Live Oak Branch, Spanish Moss and Azalea Hill, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



In a few weeks time, spring will be in full swing here in Charleston.
Azaleas will infuse the hillside at Middleton Place gardens with
 a blaze of warm and vibrant hues.

Hushed

Little Waterfall, Acadia National Park, Maine  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Glimpsed through green foliage,
a little waterfall spills over Maine granite,
 adding a soothing pattering to the hushed forest sounds.

Gnarly Weekend Ahead

Steps Down, The Washout, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This surfer heads down toward the surf at The Washout on Folly Beach.
After all the cold rain we've had this entire week, stepping into a
sunny, warm weekend is going to be totally gnarly dude.

Illumination

Sunrise, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



The sun bursts through early morning clouds to illuminate
 the waters of Charleston Harbor.

A Grand View

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Velvia slide film.)



Here is an image that exhibits the bejeweled colors of dazzling Venice.
It was taken from the Accademia Bridge, which spans the Grand Canal,
and features the golden domed Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.

Ingredients

Facade Colors and Cloud, The Plex, North Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Find the right light, find the right angle, add a bit of shadow, then wait for a cloud to pass by at a pivotal point in the image... these ingredients, when mixed together, make this colorful image.

Ebb and Flow

Live Oak and Tidal Creek, Daniel Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



The ebb and flow of coastal tidal creeks varies the vistas over marshlands
by the hour. On this occasion, high tide offers a mirror of still water
for the live oak to bend toward, as if admiring its reflection.

Layered History

Temple and Church, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film.)


San Lorenzo in Miranda stands inside the ancient temple ruins of
 Antoninus and Faustina. This 7th century church is reputed to be the site of Saint Lawrence's martyrdom. Places like this,
where history is layered upon layer, are commonplace in Rome.




 

Aspen Grove

Aspen Grove, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



This quaking aspen grove shows the deep furrowed bark of old trees.
 The bark is also subject to scaring by grazing elk,
 seen commonly in this Rocky Mountain meadow.

A Record for Hue and Eye

Spruce Tree Shadows at Sunrise, Waterrock Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



As I faced the morning sun peeking over a mountain ridge, my eye noticed the warm hues and tree shadows projected on a rocky outcrop. I could not resist this surprising view.

On another note, Doug's Photo Blog received over 150,000 page views this month, a record for Hue and Eye photography.

Thank you everyone for your visits!

Purple Spume

Sea Foam, Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Unreal color, but stranger is the sea foam seen here in the surf.
It is created by the agitation of highly organic saltwater.
Sea foam is also known as spume.

Resting

Collage of Charleston Sailing Dinghies, Charleston Harbor Marina, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



After the race is finished, this trio of sailing dinghies
takes a break at a marina in Mt. Pleasant.

Great Sand Dunes

Late Afternoon, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



A break in cloud cover allows late afternoon sunlight
 to highlight the tallest sand dunes in North America.

Misty Monday - Blues Among the Oaks

Dawn, White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



A moody dawn envelopes looming oaks at The Battery.

Heavens Aflame

Lantern at Sunset, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



This fiery sky over Saint Peter's Square brings
 a heavenly day to a close in lovely Italy.

The King

Stop Sign, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



There was a time when every rock and roll fan stopped for Elvis... 
the king of showstoppers.